Press Review

“Hraparak” reports on an extensive report circulated by a delegation of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) on Tuesday during its negotiations with representatives of the governing coalition. “Regardless of the results that the Congress will achieve in realizing its published roadmap, when they display such a conceptual approach to the issue, it is nice,” comments the paper. “This shows that our political forces too can do thorough work and act with a civilized image.”

Writing in his newspaper, “Haykakan Zhamanak” editor and HAK member Nikol Pashinian rules out a repeat of the March 2008 violence in Armenia. “[Former President] Robert Kocharian didn’t think that the Armenian people, the people of Armenia, are patient, prudent but also stern, forgiving but never weak-willed,” he says. “On March 1, 2008 Kocharian saw real Armenia, the citizen of real Armenia for the first time.”

“Zhamanak” carries interviews with some of 76 parliament deputies who the HAK says are engaged in business in violation of Armenian law. One of them, Lyova Khachatrian, says: “If even one of the persons who drew up that list is more law-abiding and decent than me, then I’m ready to meet with him in our editorial offices. And if it is proved in the presence of journalists that I violate the law, I promise that I will give by parliamentary mandate to that person.”

“Armenia’s current rulers are far from being democrats,” editorializes “Aravot.” “They limit freedom of speech, control the television airwaves, detain young people publicizing [opposition] rallies, hamper people’s freedom of movement during those rallies. But can we say that those fighting against such authorities are so crystal clear democrats who wouldn’t do the same or the worse? No, we can’t.” The paper says in that regard that the HAK leadership is intolerant of dissent, expelling and vilifying people who disagree with its actions.

Lragir.am criticizes the ongoing closure of kiosks across Yerevan, saying that the municipal authorities are concerned not with ensuring “civilized trade” but creating “perfect conditions for supermarkets.” “The Yerevan supermarkets belong to oligarchs and deputies or their cronies who also control monopolies,” says the online publication. It claims that the authorities are simply squeezing their competitors out of business.